Designated in the middle of the 1920s, SR 181 primarily serves as a short route connecting traffic between Crestline and Ontario.

For most of its lifespan, SR 181 had its western terminus at the signalized intersection where U.S. Route 30 (US 30) had crossed the Crawford–Richland county line.

For a short distance, as the city limit of Crestline turns west, SR 181 borders the eastern end of Jackson Township.

[4][5] Now entirely within Richland County, SR 181 travels through Sandusky Township amid what is primarily farm country.

The highway passes into a more heavily wooded terrain with a greater number of homes appearing alongside the roadway as it bends to the east-southeast.